Page 91 of Property of Yak

“True, but that doesn’t mean all of them are bad.”

Dad sighs heavily. “My little bleeding heart.”

I want to tell him that I know for a fact some of the men are good. That I’ve met them and spent time with them, but I keep my mouth shut.

Hearing it right now might send him over the edge.

“I want you to come home with me tonight,” he says.

“No.”

“Sweetheart, your place has been compromised.”

I shake my head. “I have cameras and locks. I won’t just open my door again without asking questions.”

“Fine, then I’ll stay here in your guest room.”

“Dad, you need to go home. I’ll be fine on my own,” I tell him gently.

His jaw clenches. “I just want to protect you.”

“I know you do, and I appreciate it, but I got this.”

“Why are you fighting me so hard on this?” he asks, catching me off guard.

“What do you mean?”

“Earlier you pushed me to go home. Now you are again. You refuse to come with me or let me stay, and I don’t get it,” he says, shaking his head.

Looking down at my tea again, I choose my words carefully.

“Because, Dad, I’m twenty-five years old. I love you, but I need to make sure that I can do some things on my own. If I let you take over, then I’ll never learn to deal with the hard stuff on my own. I’m afraid if I run from here tonight that I’ll never want to come back, and I love my home. I love my independence, and I’m not willing to give it up,” I tell him quietly.

He sighs again. “I’m not going to be able to talk you out of this, am I?”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”

He takes a deep breath. “You get your stubbornness from your mother.”

I can’t help but smile. “Dad, I’m pretty sure we both know I get it from you as well.”

“Will you at least call Liz? Ask her to sleep over so you aren’t alone?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Will you, though?” He smirks, making me chuckle.

“Honestly, probably not.”

“At least you’re honest. You get that from me for sure,” he mutters as he stands.

Once again, guilt eats at me. Almost to the point that it feels suffocating.

Standing, I give him a hug. “Bye. Love you.”

“Love you too. Call me if you need me,” he says, kissing my forehead. “I’ll have the guys patrol. Someone will be close.”

“Dad…”